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If you want to sell alcohol in Scotland, you need a personal licence. This licence is essential because it allows you to be the person in charge of authorising alcohol sales in a venue, like a bar, pub, or restaurant.
Getting a personal licence is a process, but it�s straightforward if you know what to do. In this guide, we�ll explain exactly what steps you need to take, who can apply, and what documents you�ll need. By the end, you�ll know everything to get your personal licence and start selling alcohol legally.
In Scotland, a personal licence is required if you�re responsible for authorising the sale of alcohol in a licensed venue. This means that if you�re managing a pub, restaurant, or bar, or if you�re the person in charge of alcohol sales, you must have a personal licence.
To be clear, there are two types of licences you need:
If you're going to be the one making sure alcohol is appropriately sold, you�ll need a personal licence.
Before you begin the process of applying, it helps to know exactly what a personal licence allows you to do. This licence isn�t just a legal requirement, it�s a key that gives you certain responsibilities and privileges when it comes to selling alcohol in Scotland. Whether you want to run a pub, apply for a Designated Premises Manager (DPM) role, or work in any venue where alcohol is sold, having a personal licence shows you understand how to do so legally and safely.
To make things clear, here�s a quick visual summary of what being a personal licence holder in Scotland actually means:
To apply for a personal licence in Scotland, there are some basic requirements you need to meet:
As long as you meet these basic requirements, you can move forward with applying for your personal licence.
Now let�s review the steps you must follow to apply for a personal licence. It�s essential to take your time and follow each step carefully.
The first step is to complete the Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (SCPLH) course. This course will teach you all the necessary information about alcohol laws, including the rules for selling alcohol responsibly.
You can find accredited SCPLH courses online or in person. Once you finish the course, you�ll get a certificate, which you�ll need for the next steps.
After completing your SCPLH training, you�ll need to get a Basic Disclosure (DBS check) to ensure you have no serious criminal convictions. You can apply online.
It�s essential to apply for this check within one month of completing your training. This ensures everything is up-to-date when you submit your application.
Once you have your SCPLH certificate and DBS check, you must gather a few more documents. These are the documents you�ll need to submit with your application:
Make sure all your documents are up-to-date and precise before submitting them.
Now that you have your documents ready, it�s time to submit your application to your local Licensing Board. You will need to send them your completed application form along with your supporting documents.
You can find the right Licensing Board for your area by using the GOV.UK licensing tool.
Once you�ve submitted your application, it will be reviewed by your local Licensing Board. The process usually takes between 4 and 8 weeks. They will check everything to make sure you�ve met all the requirements.
If your application is approved, you will receive your personal licence, and you can start authorising alcohol sales at your venue.
If you're looking for a faster way to remember the process, here�s a simple breakdown of the 5 steps we just went over. This makes it easier to track where you are and what�s next when applying for your personal licence.
A personal licence is valid for 10 years from the date it�s issued. After 10 years, you�ll need to renew it.
Every 5 years, you will also need to complete a refresher course to make sure you�re up-to-date on alcohol laws and regulations. This course is shorter and typically less expensive than the full SCPLH course.
